“Morning,” was his brief reply.
He was waiting for her to turn around. She did so.
In his hand was a leather sheath with the sword she had chosen resting in it.
“It’s time you knew how to use this one properly.”
“But Taleon, I don’t think I am ready.”
He stepped forward and slipped the belt around her waist, tightening it gently so it hung ready at her left side.
“You’ll never be ready if you don’t practice and prepare. We are running out of time.”
Cassandra’s hand rested gently on the sheath. The leather was soft and exquisitely tooled. “It’s beautiful. I have never seen anything like it before. Who made it?”
Taleon shrugged. “Our country has never seen a crisis like this before. On guard,” he said, withdrawing his own sword.
“Not up here, Taleon.”
“What better place is there?”
She looked at him for a brief moment before withdrawing it. Slowly she held it in a ready position.
Taleon and Cassandra nodded at one another, signaling that they were ready, and the dance of the swords began.
To her surprise, the sword felt natural in her hand as she swung, blocked, and lunged. The combat was anything but mortal. It was a challenge of skills, strength, and cunning that flew back and forth along the castle walk. To her surprise and fear, Taleon jumped up on the castle wall. Climbing to the upper part, he kept her in a merry dance. She glanced his sword out of his hand and onto the castle walkway. Her own skill surprised her for a moment, and Taleon ran along the top of the wall, leaping across the battlement gaps with great bounds. Cassandra realized she was missing an advantage and ran to get his sword.
Taleon was there first. With a cat-like leap he tumbled from the wall, his hand finding his sword. Instantly he raised it in time to catch a blow from Cassandra. Once again the swords flashed back, then forth, up and down and over side to side. Taleon flicked Cassandra’s sword from her hand. Catching it, he lunged at her. She stepped to avoid it. He swung in for what would be a killer move—when she stepped close to him, took the dagger from his belt, and held it to his throat, at the same time both blades crossed hers.
For a moment neither moved. Both were panting from the excursion. It was a perfect draw. Taleon dropped his blades and Cassandra turned and offered him his dagger. He slid her sword back into its sheath before taking the dagger and putting it back in his belt, then sheathed his sword.
“That was well done, Cassandra.”
“I have had an excellent teacher who keeps me on my toes playing the left and right handed swordsman.”
Taleon smiled briefly. “I am glad that hasn’t irritated you too much.”
“How could you possibly irritate me too much?”
Taleon looked curiously at her. Wasn’t she always annoyed with him? She honestly meant it.
“You annoy me once in a while, but you teach me more than I could ever expect to learn under different tutelage.”
Taleon smiled with some gratification. Someone was really seeing him. He wasn’t just Taleon. He was...Taleon.
A cool wind swept up from the valley. Cassandra turned to face it. Her expression became grave. The wind played with her hair. “In less than a fortnight I shall be there again at my uncle’s side acting like a blind fool.”
“Is that how you describe your work for your father?”
“No, it is the way I describe myself before I came up here. There are no ignorant fools in Raven Castle. Unless of course you consider me one; well then...”
Taleon broke into the middle of her sentence. “You are no fool, Cassandra.”
“Do you remember who you are talking to?” laughed Cassandra lightly.
“Yes, and you are no longer blind. All will be well, Cassandra. This will all come right. Trust me.”
“I already do.”
Taleon smiled. “I have work to do.”
“Can I help?”
He paused and looked at her. “All right.”
After spending nearly an hour with Taleon and having him disappear, Cassandra went to visit Edith.
“Come in!” came the happy voice from inside the room.
Cassandra entered and was very surprised to find Blake not only standing in the room but taking steps across it, with a wooden rod where his leg came to an end.
“See, I told you I could walk quite well, Edith, and all by myself.”
“Oh Blake!” and she impulsively threw her arms around his neck, but it did not set the man off balance as Cassandra was sure it would. He stood his ground steadily.
Brendan let out a squeal of joy and clapped his hands.
Cassandra scooped him up in her arms. “Isn’t he doing well, Brendan?”
Brendan warbled off a long dialogue that proved to be a monologue, for no one could understand exactly what he was saying.
“Is that quite so?” asked Cassandra when he had finished.
But Brendan was too enthralled with looking at the way his hands were neatly folded together to answer.
Cassandra now looked at Edith. Blake had slipped his arm around Edith’s waist, and she was looking trustingly into his eyes. Cassandra couldn’t miss the look of pure, trusting love. He bent and whispered in her ear and she nodded.
“Cassandra, do you know where your father is?”
“I am not sure where he is exactly, but I know I could find him.”
“Is someone looking for me?” asked King Aric, stepping through the door, his hand coming to rest gently on Cassandra’s shoulder. Cassandra slipped closer to her father.
Edith and Blake bowed before him. Brendan looked up into his face with wide-eyed reverence, sighing something under his breath.
“Come, my friends, there is no need for ceremony here. Did someone have a request to make?”
“Yes, your majesty. This beautiful lady has agreed to be my wife. Would it be possible to wed here in Raven Castle?”
“Most certainly. When would you like to marry?”
“There is a group leaving for the Belterra in less than a fortnight and we would like to be in their party.”
The king nodded in understanding. “Would the day before their departure be soon enough, or would you like it sooner?”
Edith smiled squeezing Blake’s hand, and he answered for them, “That would be perfect.”
“Excellent. Now if you don’t mind, I have come to claim my daughter.”
“Not at all.”
As Cassandra put Brendan down, he whined and clung tightly to her.
“I have to go, Brendan.”
He buried his small head into her shoulder.
She could not help kissing the small forehead that rested so closely to her and squeezing him tight. He was a memory she must take to the valley—the feel of him in her arms. She was going to risk it all to make the world safer for little girls and boys like him, and maybe someday her own children.
Edith stepped forward and took Brendan from her arms and he let out a squeal of unhappy defeat.
Cassandra followed her father, who did not say a word. They walked down to the stables where two horses were waiting.
“Do you know how to ride?”
“I have never been on a horse’s back save for when Willamsen brought me up here.”
“You rode long before that, but you don’t remember. You had a very small pony and rode him quite well.”
“I did?” Cassandra asked with a smile.
“Yes. You did. I used to walk beside you to make sure you wouldn’t fall off, but you never were in any kind of danger. But come, let’s see if you remember anything from those rides,” he said, lifting her onto the saddle. In a moment she was settled comfortably, sitting side saddle.
“Something in you must remember, for that is perfect.”
King Aric mounted and together they rode out of the gate into the forest. For a long time they went on in silence. Just being together was wonderful but difficult. There was
so much to say and so little time to say it, but how did one go about putting into words?
After they were a goodly distance from the castle, King Aric dismounted and helped Cassandra to her feet.
He offered her the crook of his arm and she threaded her arm through his and leaned close.
At first they walked together neither saying a word, then King Aric spoke. “Cassandra, do you have any hopes or dreams?”
She looked up at him puzzled. “Pappa?”
He turned her to face him directly. “What are the hopes that burn in your heart? What do you desire most in life, Cassandra?”
“No one has ever asked me. I really don’t know, Pappa.”
“If you are to be a ruler, you must have a vision, dreams, hopes, plans, not only for your people but for yourself as well. What is it that you want for yourself, Cassandra?”
For a moment Cassandra thought, then raised her face to his. “I want my Pappa upon the throne of Chambria. To see the valley restored, the people coming home, the drought to come to an end. A full harvest and a happy people.”
“Anything else, Cassandra?”
For a long time she thought. “I want to be better than I am now.”
King Aric bent and kissed his daughter’s cheek and they continued to walk arm in arm.
“What are your hopes, Pappa?”
“Many of the things you wished for and a few more. To have a happy daughter who is kept safe. Oh Cassandra, I have failed you in the way you should be brought up.”
“Pappa, no, you haven’t. I have grown more here in the short months that I have been here than in my entire life in the valley.”
“That is what I mean. You have been cheated of the upbringing that you ought to have had. If something should happen to me and you are left alone to rule Chambria...”
“Don’t say that, Pappa. Please don’t.”
King Aric was surprised by the tight grip on his arm, the pleading in her face.
“Don’t let anything happen to you, Pappa. I couldn’t bear it.”
King Aric smiled. “I pray nothing will go wrong, but no promises.”
Cassandra nodded and bit her lip.
It was near evening before they returned to the castle. Taleon was waiting to greet them. He helped Cassandra down from her saddle.
“There is a meal prepared for you in your chambers, sire.”
“Thank you. Taleon, will you do the honor of joining us?”
“Sire, I couldn’t.”
“Taleon please,” asked Cassandra, her grip on his sleeve gently tightening.
He looked down at Cassandra, whom he was practically still holding in his arms even though she was down from the saddle. He dropped his hands to his side.
“If you both so wish it.”
“We do,” answered the king.
The meal was almost silent, both Cassandra and the king being in a reflective mood and Taleon in the disposition to cooperate.
When the meal was over and the dishes cleared away, the king made an unexpected request for them to duel.
“I am afraid I saw only part of your performance this morning. Keenan told me it was quite a rare sight to behold.”
“I am not sure if it is one we can repeat, sire,” said Taleon.
“I just want to see you two duel, that is all.”
Cassandra rose from her chair and Taleon did the same. They drew their blades, pulled them upright before them, and nodded, dropping them into ready positions.
The swords danced brilliantly in the light of the fire and candle as they battled as if for their lives.
It was once again a draw. Both had killing positions and had they been battling in earnest, both would have died. A thrust by either would end it all.
They slid their blades back into the sheaths and turned to the king, who had remained silent through the entire performance.
Slowly he stood, and walking over to them rested a hand on each of their shoulders.
“You have both done very, very well.” He pulled them closer to himself. They moved to embrace him, a head resting on either shoulder.
Cassandra looked up at her father’s face and caught a glimpse of Taleon looking at her. She looked at her Pappa. His face was lifted up, his eyes, closed, his lips were moving in silent prayer. She lowered her head and closed her eyes storing away her own prayer in her heart.
Taleon’s hand touched hers, and she opened her eyes, looking in his direction. His blue-green eyes met Cassandra’s. They were studying her face and seemingly filled with questions as if trying to see into her soul.
Cassandra closed her eyes and bowed her head.
Taleon did the same.
In a moment, the king’s grip released, and squeezing Taleon’s shoulder, he dismissed him. Cassandra he held in a long hug and kissed her forehead.
“Good night, my daughter.”
“Good night, Pappa.”
And she too was dismissed.
Closing the door to her father’s chambers, Cassandra turned around to find Taleon waiting for her, his arms and ankles crossed.
Silently she moved down the hall towards her chambers. Taleon followed.
“What is it that you want, Taleon?” she asked in a soft voice.
“Why have you changed?”
“What? I have not changed a bit.”
“Yes, you have. Something about you is different. Can’t you feel it?”
“Taleon, I...”
“Take a moment to think before you answer.”
For a long moment Cassandra thought. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Don’t you?” he asked, stepping closer.
“No.”
“You have changed since you came up here, but you have changed again. What made you second your father’s motion for me to come to dinner tonight?”
Then it struck her. But had she really changed? “I keep thinking that I have the world straight, and then something comes along and makes it go all topsy-turvy again, and I don’t know what to think of it. When it finally settles into place, I realize that I was wrong to start with and now it’s straight until something else comes.
“Taleon, it sent me spinning when I found out I was going back to the valley. It was as if my eyes were opened. I thought I could see before, but now I realize how blind I was, and probably still am.”
“You told me you were jealous of me and your father. Where has that envious girl gone?”
“I have been selfish. I thought that because he was my pappa, I could have and be everything to him. But I can’t, Taleon. He needs us—both of us, Taleon; and with me going back to the valley, he will need you more than ever. I have been selfish and blind. I wanted everything that you had and was willing to do anything to get it. The world is so much bigger than my selfish needs, Taleon. He needs you.”
Cassandra wasn’t quite sure how Taleon had come to stand so close that his arms were around her waist, or why tears where sliding down her cheek, but it was so, and she leaned against him slipping her arms about his neck.
“Thank you Cassandra,” he whispered, then, releasing her, he stepped away, one hand lifting her face to look into his. “Good night.”
“Good night, Taleon.”
And with that they both walked their separate ways.
Chapter 29
The week passed quickly. In two days more, Edith would be married, and in three, Cassandra would be in the valley.
It was late in the morning. Cassandra had just finished her sewing class when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in!” Cassandra called.
Edith entered. “Cassandra. I have a favor to ask of you. Can I place Brendan in your care during the ceremony, you are the only one I can trust to keep him quiet and happy.”
“Oh Edith, I would be delighted.”
“Good, it is settled then.”
“Yes.”
Edith turned to leave when Cassandra’s voice halted her. “Edith.”
“Yes.”
Cassandra held her tongue. She wanted to tell her the whole story of what was about to happen. She could hardly bear the thought of Edith thinking ill of her—thinking that she betrayed her and her story by returning to her uncle.
“What is it, Cassandra?”
“I—I don’t know. Promise me, Edith, you won’t believe everything you hear?”
Edith looked at her scrutinizingly. “What do you mean by that?”
“You are my friend, Edith, and I will never betray you.”
Edith’s brow wrinkled and she came closer, looking Cassandra in the eye. Cassandra met her gaze boldly.
“You can’t tell me, can you?”
“I will always be your friend.”
“I believe it, Cassandra.”
“Then will you do me the honor of accepting this gift?” Cassandra held out a thin string of white, gold, and red thread—the colors of Chambria’s flag, with pearls spaced evenly around it.
“I will, and it would be an honor.”
“Thank you, Edith.”
With that, Edith left and Cassandra turned to her sewing basket and pulling out a piece neatly folded at the very bottom. It was a red and white field with a golden lion—her father’s standard. She still had to finish it. Her fingers ran across the edge, then to the lion that was only partly attached. Taking up her needle, she threaded it with gold. With the finest stitches she had ever done in her life, Cassandra sewed until it was nearly done. At the last stitch she hesitated. Finishing it would feel wonderful but frightening. She would be leaving this standard soon and going to the valley. Boldly she did the last stitch, concealed the knot, and gathered the whole flag into her arms, burying her face in its folds.
She wanted to hold onto it as long as possible. Her heart was here in Raven Castle.
“Cassandra?” It was Taleon’s voice very near
Startled, she sat upright to see him standing before her.
“You didn’t knock.”
“I did. You didn’t hear me and the door was open partway so I came in. Pardon me?”
“It’s all right.”
“Finish it?”
Cassandra nodded and released it, letting it unfold from her hands. Taleon caught an edge and held it as he walked backwards, stretching the flag out between them.
Captive of Raven Castle Page 17
